NGD: Fender Japan E Series - Lake Placid Blue

[God of Thunder]

Here's another one of these "I spent more than I should have...probably". This popped up on Guitar Center, which I personally really enjoy due to the return policy. I can bring in a bunch of instruments and return the ones I don't like.

However today, I got this E series Lake Placid Blue Japan Strat today - and I am quite fond of it. Like anything though, I want to make sure it's all good - and not incredibly overpriced! Take a peek at some of these photos and let me know what you think!? I know its an ST-362V but am very excited to learn more about it!

With my wife's 1991 Am. Standard!

 

[God of Thunder]

 

[God of Thunder]

 

[Guitarmageddon]

Here's another one of these "I spent more than I should have...probably". This popped up on Guitar Center, which I personally really enjoy due to the return policy. I can bring in a bunch of instruments and return the ones I don't like.

However today, I got this E series Lake Placid Blue Japan Strat today - and I am quite fond of it. Like anything though, I want to make sure it's all good - and not incredibly overpriced! Take a peek at some of these photos and let me know what you think!?

With my wife's 1991 Am. Standard!

Hey! I have absorbed a lot of knowledge on these over the years....it's in beautiful shape!

This is an ST-362 Fender Standard Strat. What I'm afraid of is Guitar Center's price. These don't normally sell for over $500-550 US, before COVID hit and all those prices rose, this was like a $400-450 guitar. It's a great guitar, the quality is top notch. Basswood body and ceramic pickups, everything looks 100% stock. 7.25" fretboard radius, small vintage frets, Gotoh tuners.....

KNOWING Guitar Center, it was probably priced at $700-800

 

[Black59]

That's a beauty! HNGD!

 

[jrbirdman]

LPB & RW - great combo

 

[God of Thunder]

Hey! I have absorbed a lot of knowledge on these over the years....it's in beautiful shape!

This is an ST-362 Fender Standard Strat. What I'm afraid of is Guitar Center's price. These don't normally sell for over $500-550 US, before COVID hit and all those prices rose, this was like a $400-450 guitar. It's a great guitar, the quality is top notch. Basswood body and ceramic pickups, everything looks 100% stock. 7.25" fretboard radius, small vintage frets, Gotoh tuners.....

KNOWING Guitar Center, it was probably priced at $700-800

oh it was more than that! It was $1100 plus tax. But damn - the color and condition might get me. I haven’t seen many Lake Placid Blue. I want a nice Japan strat so badly though!

 

[archetype]

ST-362V. Ok, what's the "V" designate? A V-profile neck? V for victory?

It's a dang shame that Fender Japan and its vendors didn't see any value in better documentation of what they sold.

 

[hrstrat57]

Beaut! LPB w rosewood sweet!

congrats!

 

[FrieAsABird]

Looks good but at over 1k, you could have gotten much more for your money I think- doesn’t matter though, as long as you’re happy

 

[archetype]

oh it was more than that! It was $1100 plus tax. But damn - the color and condition might get me. I haven’t seen many Lake Placid Blue. I want a nice Japan strat so badly though!

Holy smoke! So... an emotional purchase.

 

[God of Thunder]

Holy smoke! So... an emotional purchase.

I've got two other strats, all new strats for me are an "emotional purchase" - but even this one might not make the cut. I don't mind overpaying for "the" guitar, but paying a lot over is hard to swallow.

 

[Groundwire]

The nice thing about the MIJ stuff is that it easily rivals the quality of more expensive instruments, so even if you "overpaid", you're getting a guitar that is as good as an American Strat that would likely cost a lot more. I had a '96 MIJ ST362 a few years ago. It was a really good guitar.

Love that color.
BTW, it seems odd that a '62 style guitar would have a single ply 8 hole pickguard. Is that original to the guitar? I don't know about all the MIJ models, but moral a 60's type would have a 3 ply 11 hole guard...

 

[Neil.C]

The nice thing about the MIJ stuff is that it easily rivals the quality of more expensive instruments, so even if you "overpaid", you're getting a guitar that is as good as an American Strat that would likely cost a lot more. I had a '96 MIJ ST362 a few years ago. It was a really good guitar.

I don't know, I'm sure you could pick up a MIA Strat for $1100 or even less and it would have alnico pickups and an alder body.

Plenty to choose from.

 

[Swamp_Thang]

Great guitar. I have one but mine in a 93-94 model.

 

[Thrup'ny Bit]

oh it was more than that! It was $1100 plus tax.

Ouch. That stings. £600 here absolute top price, lurgy and all.

 

[Guitarmageddon]

oh it was more than that! It was $1100 plus tax. But damn - the color and condition might get me. I haven’t seen many Lake Placid Blue. I want a nice Japan strat so badly though!

It's not worth ANYWHERE near that, NO precedent has ever set that high before, return it! You'd never get more than like 600-650 for it when selling it....ever.....for THAT price you can almost get a used vintage re-issue made in USA....

WE can find you a MUCH better deal if you're patient and willing to wait 1-2 months or so for it.....trust me, I can find you a HIGHER end 'reissue' 57 or 62 Fender Japan with alder body and Alnico pickups for LESS than $800-900 shipped.....YES SIR!

 

[Kester]

I've got two other strats, all new strats for me are an "emotional purchase" - but even this one might not make the cut. I don't mind overpaying for "the" guitar, but paying a lot over is hard to swallow.

If it's a guitar that you like but don't love, then it's not worth it. But if it's a guitar that is one of those that is something special, that you aren't going to sell, then it's worth it if you think it is.

I've owned 7 57' AVRI Strats. But the one I've still got, and have owned for 20 years is the best, the neck is perfect. If for some reason I had to replace that guitar and I could find one exactly the same as mine I'd over-pay - because for me it would be worth it.

 

[God of Thunder]

It's not worth ANYWHERE near that, NO precedent has ever set that high before, return it! You'd never get more than like 600-650 for it when selling it....ever.....for THAT price you can almost get a used vintage re-issue made in USA....

WE can find you a MUCH better deal if you're patient and willing to wait 1-2 months or so for it.....trust me, I can find you a HIGHER end 'reissue' 57 or 62 Fender Japan with alder body and Alnico pickups for LESS than $800-900 shipped.....YES SIR!

hey. I will not complain about that at all!

 

[Stratafied]

Great guitar. I have one but mine in a 93-94 model.
View attachment 525184

Wow, what a beauty, the maple neck is perfect.